Cosign Letter to Trump requesting he nominate a director to the Office of Violence Against Women

Dear Colleague,

I invite you to join me in sending a letter to President Trump expressing concern that he has not yet nominated a Director
for the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW), and urging that he make such a nomination immediately.

A year into President Trump’s administration, a record number of high-ranking positions remain vacant across the federal
government. Especially given the increasing and serious reports of sexual assault andviolence against women in the news and among the President’s staff, it ismore imperative than ever for the President to show leadership on this issue and nominate a director for this important office.

The OVW, as a part of the Department of Justice, develops “the national capacity to reduce violence against women and
administer justice for and strengthen services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.” Created in 1995 under the Violence Against Women Act, the office stands as a national, unified, and coordinated response to the
atrocities of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking.

Every day that the position of Director of the Office of Violence Against Women remains unfilled, the President is breaking
his promise to protect all Americans. Please join me in taking a stand by raising this issue directly with the President. If you have any questions or would like to sign on, please contact Alana Byrd in my office at x61449 orAlana.Byrd@mail.house.gov.

Sincerely,

Brendan F. Boyle

Member of Congress

Letter text:

President Donald J. Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest

Washington, DC 20500

February XX, 2018

Dear President Trump:

We write to express concern that,over a year into your administration, you have failed to put forth a nominee to fulfil the role of Director of the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW). While we understand that a record number of high-ranking
positions remain vacant across the federal government, we are particularly troubled by this vacancy given the importance of the office and the need for the federal government to show leadership amongst increasing, serious reports of sexual assault and violence
perpetrated against women. Moreover, an acting director is not empowered to completely carry out the duties of his or her nominated and appointed counterpart. This creates uncertainty and makes it all but impossible for these offices to plan ahead or respond
to current needs.

The Office on Violence Against Women within the Department of Justice is tasked with leading the federal government in “developing the national
capacity to reduce violence against women and administer justice for and strengthen services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.” The OVW was created in 1995 under the auspices of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA),
in the hopes of creating a national, unified, and coordinated response to the atrocities of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking. OVW also administers grants to local, state, and tribal governments, courts, community and non-profit organizations,
secondary schools, and coalitions. These grants “work to support victims and hold perpetrators accountable through promoting a coordinated community response.” Since 1995, the office “has awarded more than six billion dollars in grants and cooperative agreements
and has launched a multifaceted approach to implementing VAWA.”

In light of all of the great work the OVW carries out in support of women, and given the seriousness of allegations and admissions of sexual
assault among public figures, including members of our own government, it is even more concerning that this position remains unfilled today. We respectfully request that you expeditiously nominate a qualified Director of the Office of Violence Against Women
so that the Senate may begin its consideration of such a nominee. Each day that this position remains unfilled serves as a symbol that our federal government does not take these issues seriously. We hope you bear this in mind and advance this nomination without
further delay.